To determine if routine otorhinolaryngologic referral prior to endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (EN-DCR) is necessary.

Two hundred thirty-seven eyes of 178 patients who were supposed to undergo EN-DCR were prospectively analyzed. Nasal endoscopy was performed by an ophthalmologist and the patients who had severe abnormality were referred to an otorhinolaryngologist. The patients were classified into 3 groups after a preoperative examination by an ophthalmologist and an otorhinolaryngologist; the number and success rate of each group were then investigated. Group A consisted of patients who had no nasal cavity abnormality, Group B consisted of patients with a nasal cavity abnormality but who received no treatment, and Group C consisted of patients who had a nasal cavity abnormality and received otorhinolaryngologic treatment.

The number of subjects in each group was 156 in Group A (87.7%), 12 in Group B (6.7%), and 10 in Group C (5.6%). The number of patients who were referred to the otorhinolaryngologist was 22 (12.3%). There was no statistical significance of success rate between the groups.

Routine nasal endoscopic examination should be performed by an ophthalmologist prior to EN-DCR. Only patients with severe abnormal findings should be referred to an otorhinolaryngologist as the results from the present study show the percentage of patients having significant nasal abnormalities was found to be low (12%) and the success rate of EN-DCR revealed no statistical significance between the groups. This could help patients by saving time and expense.